Scientifically known as the Gallus aesculapi, more commonly known as the common ancestor of the Peafowl and the Red Jungle Fowl. The Gallus aesculapi is a animal which is originally located in the Greece in the late Miocene and early Pliocene period. Although there are not much information on the mysterious bird, this page here will do the best to unleash the mysteries of the Gallus aesculapi to you.
Basic Information
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Galliformes
Family:
Phasianidae
Genus:
Gallus
Species:
Aesculapi
Habitat
The Gallus Aesculapi lives in the late Miocene early Pliocene epoch time in Greece. In that time, the temperature is around two to twenty degrees Celsius higher than the temperature comparing from today. As you can see in the diagram below, which is an attempt to recreate the temperature and the geographic feature of the earth in Pliocene epoch. As you can see, in late Miocene to the early Pliocene epoch, the location of Greece is covered in swaps and deep forests. And that is where most of the Gallus Aesculapi live during that time.
Although a rise of 2-20 degrees Celsius (depends where you are in Earth at the time) during the Pliocene epoch, the humidity level was considered fairly low comparing to present days. As a result, the climate at the time is very suitable for grass lands, deciduous forests , coniferous forests and tundras. In other words, the environment at the time is like a paradise to Herbivores. (i.e the Gallus Aesculapis) This can be confirmed with the map above to show the temperature layout in the period where the Gallus Aesculapi is around.
Adding to the point, the Pliocene epoch is a time where the Earth's climate and animals is almost the same comparing to the present time climate and animals. This is because that the geographical layout of the Earth and the climate at the Pliocene epoch is very similar to what it is now. There might be a slight difference, which won't cause a big deal of change.
Pliocene was a time where both the marine and continental faunas were very similar to modern ones. As mentioned above, this is due to the similarity of the climate and layout of the Earth comparing to present days. Having said this, this means that the Gallus Aesculapi (Shared ancestor of the Pavo Cristatus or the Indian peafowl and the Red Jungle-fowl) must have decided that the climate of Greece at the time was not suitable or they were threatened by some other factors like predators or lack of food to feed on and decided to move south-east and settled in South Asia which caused them to evolved into the modern animal, Indian peafowl and Red jungle-fowl.
Although not completely sure and not 100% proven by science, it is stated that the Gallus Aesculapi has a rather unique behavior which benefits their survival. That is the way which they fight instead of showing off their feathers like they do now. This hypothesis is raised because that scientist believes that the peafowl developed their colorful feathers in recent years. Thus a few millions year ago, they don't have the fancy feathers to choose which male they will mate with. Therefore this will only leave room to fight and see who is the fittest.
Although this may seems cruel to individuals, but this method has helped the Gallus Aesculapi greatly as the females need to be sure that their infants will be able to withstand the harsh environmental conditions when they were given birth, thus they need to be with the strongest male to achieve this. The environmental factor which led to this behavior is probably the constant threat of predators such as snakes and crocodiles. They need to ensure that their infant have a good chance to survive.
Behavior Adaptation 2
The second behavior adaptation, also a hypothesis, is that the Gallus Aesculapi lives in caves and trees instead of on the ground. This is due to the fact that the are a lot of predators luring around the area that hey are living in at night. Having this behavior, they allow themselves to be safe for the night and do not have to worry about the treat of predators when they are sleeping.
The environment factor that led to this behavior is the constant threat of predators. The Gallus Aesculapi figured out a way which allows they to have no fear of predators at night.
Labeled diagram of the Gallus Aesculapi
Source: The Jehol Fossils ; The emergence of feathered dinosaurs, beaked birds and flowering plants. (Labeled by Victor Zhou)
Structure Adaptation 1
One thing worth mentioning about the structure adaptation of the Gallus Aesculapi is the color of it's feathers. Paleontologists believe that the Gallus Aescluapi has dull colored feathers instead of colorful ones like the peafowls have today. This is because that they need to protect and camouflage themselves at the time to ensure their survival and to escape from their predators as crocodiles have very good eyesight.
The environmental factor which contributes to this adaptation is probably the location which they live in (forests) and the need to pass by predators undetected.
Structure Adaptation 2
The second structure adaptation worth mentioning is the size of Gallus Aesculapi. Paleontologists also believe that the Gallus Aesculapi is rather big in it's physical size. This is due to the connection which they made the Indian peafowl (Which also has a respectable size but believes to be smaller compared to their ancestor.) Although big, they are able to travel fast in a short distance. Just enough to outrun their predator and escape them. Their size is also needed in order for them to reach upon the fruits which were hung higher up in the trees. Furthermore, they can use their size to their advantage to scare/defeat away other predators.
The environmental factor which contributes to this adaptation is probably the need to get to some food for themselves and infants. Also, to scare or fight off their opponent.
Physiological Adaptation
Calcaneal of the Gallus Aesculapi the shape and the size of it allows the animal to maneuver easier.
Above is the calcaneal for the Gallus Aesculapi. As you can see, the general shape of the bone is rather slender and thin. This allows the Gallus Aesculapi to be able to maneuver their legs better thus allowing them to run faster, escape their predators. Not only will this allow them to bypass their predators untouched, this also allow them to increase their change of survival thus let them pass on their genes to their next generation.
The environmental factor which led to this adaptation is the constant need of escaping predators. The color of their feathers allow them to trick the predator's eyes and if that fails, their leg is the only thing that can keep them alive.
Extinct pressure
One of the major extinct pressures that led to the extinction of the Gallus Aesculapi is believed to be the drop of temperature which wiped them out. At the time, the location of Greece was thought to be a tropical climate suitable for tropical flora and faunas however, after the temperature change, the temperature and climate of Greece drooped dramatically and changed to a level where no tropical plants and animal are suitable to live there. Thus the extinction of the Gallus Aesculapi because this means that they can not find food to feed on and the appropriate climate to live in.
Reference
Philip J. Currie, Eva B. Koppelhus, Martin A. Shugar, Joanna L. Wright (Ed.). (2003) Feathered Dragons. Indiana: Indiana University Press
Donald R. Prothero. (2004). Bringing Fossils to Life: An introduction to Paleobiology. New York McGraw-Hill |Higher Education
Parker A (2003). In the Blink of an eye. Perseus Publishing
Mee-mann Chang, Pei-ji Chen, Yuan-Qing Wang, Yuan Wang, De-sui Miao. (2003) The Jehol Fossils, The Emergence of Feathered Dinosaurs, Beaked Birds and Flowering Plants. (1st ed.) Academic press.
Modern Animal ( Pavo Cristatus/ Indian Peafowl)---->
Scientifically known as the Gallus aesculapi, more commonly known as the common ancestor of the Peafowl and the Red Jungle Fowl. The Gallus aesculapi is a animal which is originally located in the Greece in the late Miocene and early Pliocene period. Although there are not much information on the mysterious bird, this page here will do the best to unleash the mysteries of the Gallus aesculapi to you.
Basic Information
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Galliformes
Family:
Phasianidae
Genus:
Gallus
Species:
Aesculapi
Habitat
The Gallus Aesculapi lives in the late Miocene early Pliocene epoch time in Greece. In that time, the temperature is around two to twenty degrees Celsius higher than the temperature comparing from today. As you can see in the diagram below, which is an attempt to recreate the temperature and the geographic feature of the earth in Pliocene epoch. As you can see, in late Miocene to the early Pliocene epoch, the location of Greece is covered in swaps and deep forests. And that is where most of the Gallus Aesculapi live during that time.Source:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Pliocene_megabiome.png
Although a rise of 2-20 degrees Celsius (depends where you are in Earth at the time) during the Pliocene epoch, the humidity level was considered fairly low comparing to present days. As a result, the climate at the time is very suitable for grass lands, deciduous forests , coniferous forests and tundras. In other words, the environment at the time is like a paradise to Herbivores. (i.e the Gallus Aesculapis) This can be confirmed with the map above to show the temperature layout in the period where the Gallus Aesculapi is around.
Adding to the point, the Pliocene epoch is a time where the Earth's climate and animals is almost the same comparing to the present time climate and animals. This is because that the geographical layout of the Earth and the climate at the Pliocene epoch is very similar to what it is now. There might be a slight difference, which won't cause a big deal of change.
Pliocene was a time where both the marine and continental faunas were very similar to modern ones. As mentioned above, this is due to the similarity of the climate and layout of the Earth comparing to present days. Having said this, this means that the Gallus Aesculapi (Shared ancestor of the Pavo Cristatus or the Indian peafowl and the Red Jungle-fowl) must have decided that the climate of Greece at the time was not suitable or they were threatened by some other factors like predators or lack of food to feed on and decided to move south-east and settled in South Asia which caused them to evolved into the modern animal, Indian peafowl and Red jungle-fowl.
Source: http://www.dailyistanbultours.com/images/world-map.gif
Adaptations
Behavior Adaptation 1
Although not completely sure and not 100% proven by science, it is stated that the Gallus Aesculapi has a rather unique behavior which benefits their survival. That is the way which they fight instead of showing off their feathers like they do now. This hypothesis is raised because that scientist believes that the peafowl developed their colorful feathers in recent years. Thus a few millions year ago, they don't have the fancy feathers to choose which male they will mate with. Therefore this will only leave room to fight and see who is the fittest.Although this may seems cruel to individuals, but this method has helped the Gallus Aesculapi greatly as the females need to be sure that their infants will be able to withstand the harsh environmental conditions when they were given birth, thus they need to be with the strongest male to achieve this. The environmental factor which led to this behavior is probably the constant threat of predators such as snakes and crocodiles. They need to ensure that their infant have a good chance to survive.
Behavior Adaptation 2
The second behavior adaptation, also a hypothesis, is that the Gallus Aesculapi lives in caves and trees instead of on the ground. This is due to the fact that the are a lot of predators luring around the area that hey are living in at night. Having this behavior, they allow themselves to be safe for the night and do not have to worry about the treat of predators when they are sleeping.The environment factor that led to this behavior is the constant threat of predators. The Gallus Aesculapi figured out a way which allows they to have no fear of predators at night.
Source: The Jehol Fossils ; The emergence of feathered dinosaurs, beaked birds and flowering plants. (Labeled by Victor Zhou)
Structure Adaptation 1
One thing worth mentioning about the structure adaptation of the Gallus Aesculapi is the color of it's feathers. Paleontologists believe that the Gallus Aescluapi has dull colored feathers instead of colorful ones like the peafowls have today. This is because that they need to protect and camouflage themselves at the time to ensure their survival and to escape from their predators as crocodiles have very good eyesight.The environmental factor which contributes to this adaptation is probably the location which they live in (forests) and the need to pass by predators undetected.
Structure Adaptation 2
The second structure adaptation worth mentioning is the size of Gallus Aesculapi. Paleontologists also believe that the Gallus Aesculapi is rather big in it's physical size. This is due to the connection which they made the Indian peafowl (Which also has a respectable size but believes to be smaller compared to their ancestor.) Although big, they are able to travel fast in a short distance. Just enough to outrun their predator and escape them. Their size is also needed in order for them to reach upon the fruits which were hung higher up in the trees. Furthermore, they can use their size to their advantage to scare/defeat away other predators.The environmental factor which contributes to this adaptation is probably the need to get to some food for themselves and infants. Also, to scare or fight off their opponent.
Physiological Adaptation
Calcaneal of the Gallus Aesculapi the shape and the size of it allows the animal to maneuver easier.
Source: http://palaeontology.palass-pubs.org/pdf/Vol%2032/Pages%20439-446.pdf
Above is the calcaneal for the Gallus Aesculapi. As you can see, the general shape of the bone is rather slender and thin. This allows the Gallus Aesculapi to be able to maneuver their legs better thus allowing them to run faster, escape their predators. Not only will this allow them to bypass their predators untouched, this also allow them to increase their change of survival thus let them pass on their genes to their next generation.
The environmental factor which led to this adaptation is the constant need of escaping predators. The color of their feathers allow them to trick the predator's eyes and if that fails, their leg is the only thing that can keep them alive.Extinct pressure
One of the major extinct pressures that led to the extinction of the Gallus Aesculapi is believed to be the drop of temperature which wiped them out. At the time, the location of Greece was thought to be a tropical climate suitable for tropical flora and faunas however, after the temperature change, the temperature and climate of Greece drooped dramatically and changed to a level where no tropical plants and animal are suitable to live there. Thus the extinction of the Gallus Aesculapi because this means that they can not find food to feed on and the appropriate climate to live in.Reference